West: ‘Chicago-style politics’ at work in new jobs report

U.S. Rep. Allen West, R-Palm Beach Gardens, says on Facebook that he’s suspicious of today’s unemployment report that shows the jobless rate dipping below 8 percent for the first time since President Obama took office in January 2009.

“I agree with former GE CEO Jack Welch, Chicago style politics is at work here,” West wrote this morning. “Somehow by manipulation of data we are all of a sudden below 8 percent unemployment, a month from the Presidential election. This is Orwellian to say the least and representative of Saul Alinsky tactics from the book “Rules for Radicals”- a must read for all who want to know how the left strategize.”

Welch, on his Twitter account this morning, wrote: “Unbelievable jobs numbers..these Chicago guys will do anything..can’t debate so change numbers.”

After 43 consecutive months of unemployment at 8 percent or higher, a Bureau of Labor Statistics report today said the jobless rate was 7.8 percent in October. That’s the same rate as in January 2009.

West’s office also released this statement today:

“Try as they may, the Obama administration cannot fool Americans into believing they have jobs. The numbers simply do not add up. Millions of Americans have stopped looking for work and been dropped from the unemployment rolls. Over 22 million Americans are either unemployed or underemployed. Over 47 million Americans are on food stamps. The clear majority of Americans see the economy going in the wrong direction. Its no coincidence that just two days after Governor Mitt Romney pummeled President Obama’s economic record in the first debate, a desperate Obama administration releases jobs numbers belying the reality faced by Americans.

A month from tomorrow, Americans have a clear choice between the policies of President Obama, Nancy Pelosi and Patrick Murphy, which have lead to record joblessness, growing government dependency and the weakest economy since the Great Depression, or our plan, which gets government out of the way of job growth and gives the American people the freedom and opportunity to create jobs, innovate, invest and grow.”